What Are The 2 Kinds Of Observation?

If you are referring to the kinds of observation that are used in a scientific situation, then there are at least four that you should be aware of. These four types are: Natural, staged, quantitative and qualitative.

However, these four stages are split into two different categories depending on the stage of the scientific method. The first stage can be presented as either a observing naturally or staged observation. The second stage is all to do with the collection of the data, in which there are two different observation types: Quantitative and qualitative.

Below is an explanation of each of the four observation types.

• Natural observation - when a scientists wishes to prove something, the first method they should use is natural observation. For example, Sir Isaac Newton, the discoverer of gravity first theorized about it, and then saw the apple fall out of a tree. This is an example of natural observation. This part of a scientific method usually involves that scientists waiting for the event to happen during their experiment.
• Staged observation - this method is based on a hypothetical theory that the scientist comes up with after doing the natural observation. For example, after Newton saw the apple fall out of the tree, he may have thought about what would happen if he dropped an apple out of a window. This type of observation usually involves a recreation of the natural observation but with different circumstances.
• Quantitative observation - after undertaking the two previous types of observation, the scientists will then write a theory or a hypothesis. To prove this, they will set about starting up an experiment. The events of the experiment will be observed and data will be collected in a quantitative format.
• Qualitative observation - collecting quantitative data is very useful for scientists, but the next step that will further their findings is qualitative data. This type of data is extremely important in experiments that require scientists to identify data and make interpretations. However this type of data can be sometimes overlooked in favor of quantitative data.

In mathematics and statistics, there is qualitative observation and there is quantitative observation.

Qualitative research is one method of enquiry that is not just used in statistics and mathematics but also in many areas of academia. Traditionally, qualitative research is used in social sciences, but it's also used quite often in things like market research and other contexts. If you are a qualitative researcher then you will aim to gather information that is not necessarily to do with numbers, but instead relates back to an in-depth and complex understanding of taste or preference.

It can relate to information that is associated with human behavior, too, as well as the reasons why humans act like that. Qualitative method investigators look at the 'why' and the 'how' of decision making. Quantitative researchers, however, look at the things that are easier to report on like the 'what', the 'when' and the 'where' the decision was made. Hence, large samples are not required, but small and in-depth samples are.

In the more conventional view, qualitative methods will produce information only on the particular case that has been studies. It also sees that any more general conclusions will be merely propositions. Quantitative methods can later be used once qualitative information has been obtained, in order to look for empirical support for that kind of research hypotheses.

Of course, depending on the kind of research you are performing it may not even be necessary to let the two kinds of research overlap. So you need to look at the research you are doing, decide what you need to know. This kind of research doesn't necessarily correlate to mathematics, either, as it will be used in many fields and many forms of academia. It's down to you to decide what's appropriate.

The first type of observation related to a scientific process is called qualitative. The second type is called a quantitative observation.

As far as the definitions are concerned, the theory of qualitative observation relates directly to a process based on a number of factors.

For example, in a company qualitative research is undertaken in order to identify development of employees. This is performed in a series of data including job analysis, evaluation of employees, identification of issues raised and employee interaction, so the quality is measured in great detail.

For someone who is completing a qualitative observation, the first thing they require in order to complete the process is a spreadsheet, checklist or a scaled rating system to assess employees.

Employers can then have the chance to collate data from a number of sources to assess their employees. They can also use other sources including interviews, surveys and general observations, but this is much harder to define.

In this way the quality of qualitative results are, on the whole, more subjective, while it is also much harder to quantify the results.

On the other hand, the meaning of quantitative observation is defined whereby the scientific process of gathering information is solely focused on numbers. Reports tend to be gathered after data is collected.

For example, if one was to look at the accountancy profession, there are a lot of reports that are based around figures and turnover, which uses quantitative data to report the facts and figures with regards to loss, profit, sales as well as turnover of a company. Yet this is done once all the analyzed data has been gathered.

Another example can be expressed in speech. If one decides to say, "Tim spends approximately $500 dollars a month on clothes," this also demonstrates a quantitative observation of figures.

It is also essential in analyzing data to examine figures and to potentially save companies a considerable amount of money.

Qualitative and quantitative observation